Trio takes on Texas TV highlights for the week ahead

Cable network rounds up programming with a theme

By Frazier Moore ~ The Associated Press

Cable's Trio network is giving viewers a big show all during August with its passel of Texas-themed programming.

Looming large in the pack is "Texas: America Supersized," a documentary about Lone Star State life, politics and culture as observed by British journalist-critic Christopher Hitchens.

"Everything about Texas is predicated on its being big," he reports in this film, which by turns is penetrating, cagey and admiring. "With a Texan in the White House, are Texan values taking over America?" he asks, then sets off to find out.

Hitchens visits a Fort Worth rodeo, the state Capitol in Austin and the sacred shrine of the Alamo in San Antonio. He checks in with liberal columnist Molly Ivins, oil magnate Boone Pickens and an ad executive who says Texas is "like America on steroids."

The hour also addresses high school football, oil wells, Enron and the evolving ethnic mix: by 2008, says Hitchens, the majority of Texans will be Spanish-speaking.

And he leaves the viewer with a question worth pondering: "If Texans are so all-fire confident in themselves, why do they keep having to prove it all the time?"

Airing Sunday at 9 p.m. EDT, this film is followed at 10 p.m. by a different take on Texas Big. "Fat City" examines the epidemic of American obesity through the prism of Houston, designated "the fattest place on earth" by Men's Fitness magazine.

Not quite cruel and all too revealing, "Fat City" focuses on extreme eating habits -- and how the local culture enables it.

Meet Bud, a champion competitive eater, and 5-foot-4, 275-pound Linda, who, at dinner, admits, "I don't know that satisfied feeling. I don't know 'full."'

"In Texas, fat is normal," declares narrator Larry Hagman. Before this hour-long film is done, you'll feel the weight of his argument.

For a full rundown of the month's Texas-oriented shows and feature films, visit the Trio Web site (http://www.triotv.com).

Other shows to look out for:

-- PBS is singing for its supper yet again, but at least the music's good. "Broadway's Lost Treasures II," a sequel to a 2003 Pledge Drive special, gathers seminal performances from Tony Awards telecasts going back to the 1960s. See Robert Morse performing "I Believe in You" from "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," Richard Kiley singing "The Impossible Dream" from "Man of LaMancha" and Jerry Orbach with a song and dance as the original Billy Flynn in "Chicago." Others onstage include Bea Arthur and Angela Lansbury ("Mame"), Patti LuPone ("Anything Goes"), Gregory Hines ("Jelly's Last Jam") and Nell Carter ("Ain't Misbehavin"'). This "Great Performances" program airs at 8 p.m. Monday (check local listings). Have your credit card ready.

-- There's something wrong with Corrine Morgan's sons, and she knows it. But this single mom is shocked to get the long-awaited diagnosis: Her 7-year-old twin boys are autistic. Now their school doesn't want them. Then her boyfriend checks out. What is this ordinary mom to do when faced with an extraordinary family crisis? Mary-Louise Parker is terrific in "Miracle Run," a heartwarming Lifetime movie inspired by a true story about two lads who won't be stopped (one even becomes a champion cross-country runner). Airing at 9 p.m. Monday, it also stars Aidan Quinn as a welcome new friend to them all.

-- Craig McCracken, creator of "The Powerpuff Girls," is back: "Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends," his new half-hour animated series for the Cartoon Network, premieres as a 90-minute special at 7:30 p.m. Friday. The premise: When kids outgrow their imaginary friends, these make-believe creatures have to go somewhere. That's where the kookie Madame Foster comes in, with her rather odd crashpad. Among her newest residents is Bloo, former pretend friend of 8-year-old Mac. But Mac will be a regular visitor, hanging out with Bloo and the rest of the gang -- including evil imaginary friends who must be thwarted. Beginning Aug. 20, "Foster's Home" will move to its regular Friday slot at 7 p.m.